Gerhard Rüdiger Gundermann, who generally performed as simply Gundermann (F… Read Full Bio ↴Gerhard Rüdiger Gundermann, who generally performed as simply Gundermann (February 21, 1955 — June 21, 1998), was a German singer-songwriter and rock musician. An excavator operator, his musical career began in the former East Germany, where he became known for his clever, often melancholy lyrics imbued with social commentary. After the German reunification, he became especially popular among former East Germans who felt disenfranchised in the reunited country.

Career
Born in Weimar, Gundermann moved with his family to Hoyerswerda in 1967. After completing his secondary education, he studied for a year at the military academy in Löbau, but was expelled in 1975, after which he was forced to seek work in the coal mining area of the Spreetal (in today's Brandenburg). In 1976 he began night school, and was Stasi (codename "Grigori") angeworben. In 1977 he applied to join the ruling party, the SED, but was asked to leave the following year (after expressing contrary opinions), although this was reduced to a "strong rebuke" after he appealed. In 1983 he married Conny. The following year he was again expelled from the party and also from the Stasi.

Gundermann's first appearances as a singer-songwriter came in 1986, and a year later he won the grand prize and a recording contract in the East German national song contest. His first LP Männer, Frauen und Maschinen (Men, Women, and Machines) appeared in 1988, but in contrast to his solo acoustic performances it was a rock record with a backing band, with uptempo numbers like "Halte durch" (Keep Up). It included an ode to his hometown, Hoyerswerda, "Hoy Woy."

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Gundermann ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Volkskammer in the March 1990 elections, running for the leftist alliance Aktionsbündnis Vereinigte Linke.

Gundermann lived an aescetic lifestyle, eschewing drugs, alcohol, and smoking, and was a committed vegetarian. However, he was a workaholic, and slept little; besides a full recording and performing schedule, Gundermann continued to work operating a giant excavator, digging up seams of brown coal; he was worried that his music would lose its authenticity if it became his sole way of life. Perhaps because of overwork, Gundermann died of a stroke on June 21, 1998 at the age of 43 at his home in Spreetal. He left behind four children. His death followed that of his friend and collaborator Tamara Danz, also 43, by less than two years.

Linda
Gerhard Gundermann Lyrics

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Du bist in mein herz gefall'n
Wie in ein verlassenes haus
Hast die fenster und türen weit aufgerissen
Das licht kann rein und raus
Ich hatte doch schon meinen frieden
Aber du bist so ne laute braut
Du hast mich wieder rausgeschnitten
Aus meiner dicken haut

Jetzt kommn die fetten tage linda
Wir ham so lang auf dich gespart
Was solln wir euch sagen kinder
Die alten sind noch mal am start

Ich wusste wie die kugel rollt
Und war nicht mehr interessiert
Wenn der sensenmann mich abgeholt
Hätte ich mich nicht geziert
Meine pistole war geladen
Mit dem allerletzten schuss
Ich hab sie unterm kirschenbaum vergraben
Weil ich doch hier bleiben muss

Jetzt kommn die fetten tage linda.

Du bist in mein herz gefalln
Wie in ein verlassnes haus
Hast die türen und fenster weit aufgerissen
Das licht kann rein und raus
Ach ich dachte ich finde nie mehr
Heim ins weihnachtsland

Vielleicht kannst du mein lotse sein
Halt mich an deiner hand

Overall Meaning

The song "Linda" by Gerhard Gundermann speaks of falling in love with someone unexpected, and how that person has opened up the singer's heart like a long-abandoned house. The person in question, Linda, has broken through the singer's tough exterior and allowed light back into their life. The lyrics also discuss the idea of accepting death and finding peace in it, especially with the singer mentioning their loaded gun and last bullet. However, Linda has given them a reason to live and enjoy life, as they talk about "the fat days" that are yet to come.

The lyrics also express a sense of hope and renewal, as the singer compares Linda to a guide that can help them find their way back to their true home ("Heim ins Weihnachtsland"). It's clear that Linda has had a profound impact on the singer's life, and has helped them discover a newfound sense of joy and optimism.

Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of love, life, and mortality. It shows how one person can completely change another's perspective on the world and inspire them to live their best life.

LindaGerhard Gundermann Lyrics

Linda
Gerhard Gundermann Lyrics